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Definition of a Hero

Hero (noun) 1. (a) a mythical or legendary figure of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability (b) an illustrious warrior (c) a character admired for his achievements and noble qualities (d) one that shows great courage 2. (a) the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work (b) the central figure in an event, period or movement.

Our little guy fits the bill on all counts.

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Makybe Diva (the age au)

"A Nation roars for a hero" perhaps my favorite video along this journey - a great race call - original HD video pulled but this still gives the feeling.

A Champion Becomes A Legend - Makybe Diva

Chapter 8 from the book - yet another National hero. Posted here November 2009. It describes Makybe Diva's 3rd Melbourne Cup win in 2005 just at the time I was deep into the research for my book. Thanks foxsports for the pic.

Reason for the Blog

I thought it was time to extend the story I started in 2005. This will be a busy week in November 2009 for thoroughbred racing and something tells me my little hero will have played a significant role by the end of the week.

I wrote that on November 2, 2009 and I would say that the Dancer is still playing a significant role. I am trying to update the status of Northern Dancer's legacy using excerpts from my book which was completed in 2007 and published in 2008 along with today's thoroughbred racing news. If you are confused it may be because in addition to inserting the latest (2009) news I also decided to shift around my chapter flow from the original book which also featured many time shifted chapters to begin with. I am confusing myself just trying to describe it. Back to the future - it is Nov 12, 2009 for another 5 minutes.

The Dancer's final resting place - taken Nov 14, 2009 at Windfields after it was closed to public

The Dancer died Nov 16, 1990

Tributes to Windfields Farm - Canadiana Lost - Just hitting home that this place is gone forever

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Nijinsky (Getty Image)

They have taken down the link to the Nijinsky Documentary so I have changed this to a great report on the British Triple Crown starting with Nijinsky's accomplishment. Northern Dancer's International Legacy all started with Nijinsky.

Frankel

I would be amiss if I didn't eventually include something about one of the strogest descendants of Northern Dancer in Frankel. Undefeated in 14 starts and establishing himself as one of the fastest thoroughbreds of all time. You can read more about him through this link including his form charts and videos of all his races. This photo from Action Images - The Telegraph. He is a double grandson of the Dancer through Sadlers Wells/Galileo and a Danehill mare.

Invasor

South American Hero

Dubai Millennium

No Ordinary Joe - picture from Godolphin of another National Hero

Sadler's Wells at Coolmore

Interesting article about Sadler's Wells and how he was generating $40 million pounds per year for Coolmore at his peak as a stallion

Yeats - Champion Stayer

Winning his fourth straight Ascot Gold Cup in 2009 - the last great son of Sadler's Wells

El Gran Senor

Picture and interesting article about El Gran Senor from the timesonline uk that sheds an interesting light on this great son's racing career and how it may not have reached its full potential

Fanfreluche

Photo from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Lammtarra - the invisible one

The only video left of Lammtarra winning the Derby - coming from an impossible distance back.

Vice Regent - Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Deputy Minister - from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Tiznow (usa today)

Winning the 2000 Classic holding off Giant's Causeway

Nureyev - photo by Barbara Livingston

Link to Nuryev winning the Guinneas and showing the same kind of grit as his father to hang on.

Danzig - 1999 from Barbara Livingston

Video link to a Danzig Tribute and what might have been - on the track - there was no doubt about his success as a sire.

Danehill - from theage.au

Ajdal

Only phot I could find about Ajdal - his gravestone at Dalham Hall from Frank Sorge galopp foto